Local girl receives assistance dog, after three-year wait

Photo by Marny Malin-Corissa, 7, and Kimberly Smith meet a companion dog provided by Canine Assistants and Milkbone Wednesday at the Commisary.

Corissa Smith, 7, smiled and reached out her arms as a black Labrador, named Amelia, hugged and licked her in exhilaration at Fort Belvoir's Commissary Wednesday.

Onlookers smiled, laughed and a few even shed tears as Smith was formally awarded her Canine Assistants dog, after being on a waiting list for three years.

"It's wonderful," said Kimberly Smith, Corissa's mother. "You don't know what it's going to do for Corissa ... it's the best Christmas gift we could get."

Corissa, whose father is an active-duty Marine, was born with cerebral palsy after complications during delivery.

She is unable to walk, talk or eat without assistance. She normally uses a power chair with a communicating device or a walker for mobility and a feeding tube to eat.

"It's been a long fight for Corissa," said Kimberly, with tears in her eyes. "This is going to give Corissa her freedom - to be able to go to the store with me."

For 10 years, Canine Assistants has joined forces with Del Monte's Milk-Bone and the Defense Commissary Agency to give companion dogs to children of active-duty military and needy veterans across the U.S.; this was the second presentation at Fort Belvoir.

More than 70 dogs have been awarded to military families.

Amelia, a stand-in dog, will not be the dog Corissa receives. The Smith family will travel to Atlanta for two weeks to train with various dogs and find "the right fit" for Corissa.

During the two weeks, Corissa will learn more than 90 commands for the dog to open doors, turn on lights, retrieve dropped objects and get help for her in an emergency.

"They will match the dog's personality with the personality of the child," said Dani Boyd, Canine Assistants team leader for the National Capital Region. "My daughter has an Assistants dog and the dog changed her life."

Boyd's daughter, who has cerebral palsy, was made fun of in school before receiving the dog. Now, she is "the cool kid" with friends who admire her and the dog, said Boyd.

All of the dogs, which can include golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and Labradoodles, are bred and trained in Atlanta by the non-profit Canine Assistants program. They begin training the dogs at 17 days and continue for two years before matching a recipient with a dog.

The dogs and the trip are completely free to the families because of the sponsorship between Milk-Bone and DeCA, which provides more than $10,000 per dog. Each family also receives free veterinary visits and dog food for the life of the dog and there will be a veterinary hotline available to the Smiths 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for any questions or concerns.

Corissa will train with the dog during the trip, including going to the movies and out to the mall during to make sure they are ready to go home.
"Having this dog will open doors for you," said Boyd, speaking to Corissa. "You can go to school or be left at home independently."

Boyd, speaking from experience, said the dogs can help pick up dropped pencils at school, provides protection for her when walking, helps her get up if she falls, protect her during a seizure and comes into her parents room if she's having a seizure while sleeping.

"This miracle takes the form of a furry, four-legged dog," said Troy Collins, Fort Belvoir's Commissary manager. "Congratulations, Corissa."
The family, who lives in Accokeek, Md., travels to Atlanta in May.

"She is excited; when we told her, she screamed," said Kimberly. "You could hear it down the hall."